Rotary motor.



T. T. LOVE'LACE.

ROTARY MOTOR. APPLICATION mzn 16.13, 1915.

1 277,964. Patented Sept. 3, 191a 4 SHEETS-"SHEET 1.

[NYE/V ran 77.7. a e/Q66 wmvEssfs "L 1% id T. T. LOVELACE. I

ROTARY- MUTOR.

APPLICAHON FILED AUG.I3.1915.

1 $77,964:. I l utvnted Sept. 3,1918.

4 SHEETS SHEEI 2.

T. T. LOVELACE.

nomimmon. APPLICATION FILED AUG.I3. l9l5.

Patented Sept. 3, 1%)!8. 4 SHEETS-SHEET 3- I INVENTOR 7' 77. ave/ace WITNESSES Ar \7 b 1 3 4 11 imam,

A TTORNEYS 45 hf the rotary motor;

. UNITED STATES PAT NT OFFICE.

THOMAS '1. LOVELAOE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

ROTARY moron.

To all whom it may] concern-:-

Be ll qkIlUVlI that I. TnoMAs T ,LovELAcE, a citizen of the United States. and iii-resident ot' the city of New York horougliof Manhattan. in the county nd. State of'New York. have invented a Ii'cWs' andflTn iproved Rotary Motor, of which the following is .a .full. clear. and exact description.- I

The invention relates to are. type. .of ro'tary motors having a plurality of cylinders with their axes parallel to each other-and revolvinghodily around a coininon axis at a right angle to the plane-of rotationof the cylfinders. I 4

y The object of the invention to. provide a new and improved rotary motor or engine which permits the use of a large nun'iber of cylinders in an exceedingly compact form an(.l \vhich is capable of developing a very high speed and high power atthe same tin ie reducing head resistance to a. minimum thus rendering the motor very serviceable for aviation or other purposes."

In order to accomplish the desired result,

use is made of tivo groups of cylinders, the

cylinders in each group being arranged around a common axis and with the axes of the cylinders of each group parallel to each other and parallel to the said connnon axis,

the groups of cylinders being spaced apart and being mounted to rotate bodily transversely to their axes, pi'stons reciprocating in the said cylinders, "23nd a stroke eleiiient intermediate the group. of cylinders and rotating in a plane at an angle to the plane of rotation of the said groups oflcylinders, the

said pistons being connected with thesaid stroke element.

A practical embodiment of the invention 40 "is represented in theaccompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts'in all the views.

Figure. 1 is a longitudinal central section Fig. 2 is a cross section of the same on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; y a Fig. 3 is a similar view of the same on the line; 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is asimilar view of the same on the 1ine-4e-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross section of one of the rigid connections between the groups of cylinders and the sliding connection of the stroke element tvith the said rigid connecti'on;

Fig. (Sis an elevation ot the outer bf- Specification of Letters l'atent. Patented Sept, 3, 1918,

Application filed Au ust 13, 1915. semi No. 45,323.

one ofthe cylinders showing the exhaust valves, the air inlet valve and the ignition. devices;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged face view of a portion of the cam for controlling the valve mechanism and Fig. 8 is an enlz-nrged longitudinal. central sectionof a portion of the rotary'engine.

The rotary motor is mounted on a suitable framework, preferably in the form of two spiders A, A, adapted to be attached to an aeroplane in case the motor is used for aviation purposes, or to a suitable foundation it used for other purposes. To the spider A secured a central hollow support B provided with spaced ball bearings C on which are mounted to rota-to the cylinder carriers I), I) on which are fas- I tened two groups ofcyllnders E, E conta1n- 111!, ])]Si011S F, F having their piston rods F F connected by universal joints G with a stroke element II mounted to rotate on H1011 axis and with. the axes o the cylinders.

of each group pai -allel to eaclnother and parallel to the common axisnvhich coincides with the axis of the central support B 'and that of the carriers D andI), rangelnent described, the cylinders. are mounted to rotate bodily transversely to their axes. The cylinders of the two groups are arranged in pairs and with the axis of one cylinder E coinciding with the axis of the corresponding cylinder E of the pair, and the adjacent ends of the cylinders E and E are spaced apart to provide sufficient s ace to accommodate the stroke element hich. rotates in a lane at an angle to the plane of rotation o the groups of cylinders E and E 'and their carriers D and D. I

The cylinder carriers 1) and D are rigidly connected with each other by liollow bars I to cause the carriers D and D to rotate in unison with each. other. The connecting bars I are provided with guideways I engaged by ball bearings H held on the stroke element H to guide the latter-in its reciprocating motion andto hold it to the same speed of revolution as the cylinders.

i The" shaft D extends beyond the spider A.

By the arand is adapted to carry a propeller wheel .1 in case the motor is used for aviation purposes, or the said shaft I) may be connected form of a generator, magnetos, or-battery' by gear wheels, pulleys or other means, with other machinery for transmitting the power of the motor to such other machinery. It is understood that by the use of the bars I. the power of the rear engine having the cylinders E is transmitted to the forward engine having the cylinders E and the shaft 1). The cylinder carriers D and D are in the form of disks, in which the cylin ders E and E are screwed or otherwise secured, and the outer edges of the carriers are connected with each other by a caseK. to form a closed space intermediateithe said cylinders and in which rotates the stroke element H.

A nonexplosive gaseons fuel is supplied to the interior of the case K in the following manner: A supply pipe T1 extends through the left-hand side of the hollow shaft D and. the out-er end of this pipe is connected by a pump or the like with a fuel supply for forcing the fuel through the pipe L and by branch pipes L through openings D into the central support 13 adjacent the ball bearings C the said support having openings or ports B opening into the case K. The cylinders E and E" are provided near their inner open ends with inlet 'ports a, at opening into the c vse K to allow thegaseous fuel to pass from the case K into the cylinders E and E at the time the corresponding piston F or F is at the end of its suction stroke and uncovers the corresponding ports a or a. Thus, as shown in the top of Fig. l, the piston 'F has uncovered the ports a in its cylinder E to allow the gaseous fuelto pass from the case K byway of the ports a, into the cylinderE. 1n the outer ends of the c linders E, E are arranged spring-close air inlet 'valves N, N opening inwardl to allow air to pass into the cylinders E for formin with the non-explosive gaseous fuel an explosive mixture to be ignited at the proper time by suitable electric ignition devices O, O of usual construction mounted on the outer ends of, the cylinders E'and E, as indicated in Fig. 6, .The ignition devices 0, O are; electrically connected with a source of electrical energy O in the located on the support B, and the conductors O for the ignition devices 0 extend through the hollow connecting bars'I, as plainly indicated in Figs. 1, 2 and 5.

The outer ends of the cylinders E- and E are also provided with spring-closed ex-' haust valves P, P opened at the proper time for the escape of the roducts of combustionby the use, of suit-a le valve mechanisms, hereinafter ore fully described.

The openingand zlosing of the ports a, a

, motor to ment of the sleeve valves Q, Q, on their corresponding cylinders E, E. The cams R, R are provided with internal gear 1 wheels S, S in mesh with gear wheels S, attached to or forming part of the cylinder carriers D, D so that when the latter are rotated the gear wheels S S impart a rotary motion to the gear wheels S. l" and consequently to the cams R R The cams R R are provided with internal cam grooves R, R engaged by friction rollers T, T mounted on rods T T slidable in suitable bearings on the carriers 1), l). The outer ends of the rods T T 3 are connected by links T, T with levers T, T fulcrumed on the outer ends of the cylinders E and E. The levers T and T engage the springclosed stems P, P of the exhaust valves P and Pso as to open the latter at the proper time for the exhaust of the products of combustion from the cylinders E, E. The levers T, T engage the stems N N of the air inlet valves N, N to close the latter at about the time the pistons F and F have traveled inwardly about half of the length of their full stroke so that the pistons during the remainder of the suction stroke create partial, vacuums in the cylinders to cause the gaseous fuel to ass into the cylinders as soon as the pistons and F uncover the ports a, a; It is inderstood that the air admitted to the cylinders E, E together with the gaseous fuel produces an explosive mixture to be exploded at the proper time by the ignition devices 0, O, as previously mentioned The cam grooves R and R are. so arranged that the sleeve valves Q, Q close durihg the compression and exhaust periods, that is, during every other revolution .the sleeve valves are closed and the said sleeve valves are only open during the suction stroke, asabove explained. This prevents the burning gases entering the crank chamber at'the end of the ex ansion'stroke, thus guarding against. possib e explosion in case K. The rotation of the gear wheels S, S and S, S. .is such that the cams rotate at as eed .of ninetenths 'relativel to that of t e carriers D, D, that is, re navelto the speed of the ing and closing of the valves.

In case the specific gravity insure'proper timing for the open--.

of the openings l) spending pistons 'F circular cups F F -t en,sion rod L passing through the righthand end of the shaft D and carrying at its outer end a valve L provided with a valve seat. D formed on the right-hand end oi the shaft D The pipe L is connected with a suitable shifting device under the control of the operator to permit the latter to open the valve L whenever it is desired to admit more air to the fuel in the case K, it being understood that the air passes by way of the valve seat I) into the hollow shaft D and through the openings ,1) and ether into the support B and from the latter by way of the o enings B into the ease K, the same as t e gaseous fuel passing into the support by way of the pipe L and its branch pipesL'.

In order to lubricate (Jr-arid the ball and socket connections F of the piston rods I". F with their correand F, the following arrangement s made The inner ends of the piston rods F F terminate in semi- 4 fitting onto a ball H and the cups fit into sectional bearings Hi, held in. the stroke. element Tl. as plainly shown in Fig.8. The edges of the cups F F are slightly spaced apart. to form an annular groove F 7 adapted to register with a hole H between the bearings ll. Into the hole H discharges a pipe l opening into an oil well IFformed in the hub of the stroke element H and which oil well H is provided with an inlet ll opening intothe hollow support B (see Fig. l). The hollow bearing B connects by ports I) with the interior of the left hand end of the shaft D and which shaft has a partition D ad.- jacent the ort I), while the left-hand end of the said shaft is connected by a .gear pump with a lubricant supply for forcing. lubricant through .this left. portion of the shaft I) and by way-of the ports 7; into the middle portion of the support B, from which the lubricant flows by way of the opening H into-the oil. well II. It is evident-that when the motor is running and the stroke element H is rotating then the lubricant. in the oil well H flows outward by centrifugal force and passes by way of the oil pipe U and grooves 'H and F to the universal joints G to lubricate the same. The piston rods'F- and F are made hollow so that the lubricant. passing between the ball H and the cups F F canpass to the universal joints F to lubricate the same, it being understood that theball portions F of the universal joints F have openings F to the bearings F on the corresponding piston F or F, as will be readily ments theuniversal joints allow the lubricant to pass to the universal jointslG and F".

, lVhen the motor is running successive ex; plosions are bad in the group of cylinders E and likewise in thegroup'of cylinders E. and the force of the explosions is transmitted by the )istons F and F to the stroke eleto cause the latterto rotate on the central support B and to carry the cylinders and their cylinder carriersD and'l) along; whereby the shaft D is rotated and thepropeller J, or the parts driven from the shaft, D. It. isunderstood that the pistons F and F, which are nearly diametrically opposite to each other, are simultaneously at their power strokes and consequently insure a properly balanced running of the stroke elements H. thereby reducing the vibration of the running parts to a minimum. It is also understood that when the pistonof one cylinder of a pair of 'cylinders is on the power stroke the piston in the other cylinder of this pair is on the compression stroke, there by providing a cushion and. aiding in thereduction of the vibration of the motor.

- It. is understood that but little space is required between the groups of cylinders for accommodating the single stroke element H connected with the pistons of both groups of'eyliuders E and E. By the arrangement described. the weight of the motor is reduced to a minimum. In a motor for an aeroplane it is very desirable to obtain high power and speed and to reduce head resist auce and vibration to a minimum with a view to' permit of mounting the motor between the planes of the aeroplane for drivmotorcapable of developing about'QiiO horse It will be noticed that by arranging the air inlet valves N. N and the sleeve valves Q, Q. as describmh none of the'burning mixture in the cylinders can pass into the case K, thus preventing the explosion of an explosive mixture which may lie-found in case K when the fuel tanks are emptied and,

therefore the mixture in case K is suiY- I "ciently diluted to be dangerous.-

By connecting the pitmen F F by uni-- versal joints with the pistons F. F. the latter are free toturn in the cylinders E, E

' Patent:

l. A. rotarymotor,comprising two groups of cylinders, the cylinders in each group being grouped around a common axis and with the axes of the cylinders of each group parallel to ouch other and parallel to thesuid common axis, tho groups of cylinders being spaced apart and being mounted to rotate. bodily transversely to their lures, the'cylindcrs having openings inv their sides adjacent the inner ends, a case surrounding the inner ends of the cylinders and forminga fuel chamber between said cylinders, pistons reciprocating in the'said cylinders, a stroke element within the case intermediate the gl0up$ 0f cylinders and rotating in aplanc at an angle to the plane of rotation of the said groups of cyliuders,'thc said pistons being connected with the said stroke element, and rigid connections connecting the groups of eylinders with each other.

2. A rotary motor, comprising tw'o groups of cylinders, the cylinders in each group be ing grouped around it common axis and with the axes of the cylinders of each group parallel to each other and parallel. to the said common axis, the groups of cylinders being spaced apart and being mounted torotatc bodily transversely to their axes, a fuel chamber between the cylinders, means for admitting .fuelfrom the chamber into the cylinders, pistons reciprocstin in the said cylinders, a. stroke element wit in the chamber intermediate the groups of cylinders and rotating in plane at an angle to the plane of rotation of the said groups of cylinders, the said pistons lining connected with the said stroke clenici'it, and a plurality of rigid. connections connecting the groups of cylinders with each other, the said connections each llil-Vlll r guideways slidingly en gcged by the stro (e element 3. A rotary motor, comprising two groups 01 cylinders spaced apart and arranged around acommon iitris, the cylinders being mounted to rotate hodiiy and having ports in their sides adjacent the inner ends, a fuel case between tho groups of cylinders and into which the inner ends of the cylinders extend, pistons in the c limlcrs' and ndsrpted to close the ports of t e cylinders,

a mtatalile stroke member mounted in the case and with which the piston rods are connected, the said member rotating in a plane at an angle to theplimc of rotation of the cylmdcrs, and auxiliary means for closing the ports of the cylinders during the support, two' spaced cylinder cbmpression strokes of the pistons and open-- around a common axis, the cylinders being' mounted to rotate bodily and having ports in their sides adjacent the inner ends, a fuel case between the groups of cylinders-and into which the inner ends of the cylinders extend, pistons in the cylinders and adaptd to close the said ports, a rotatable stroke member mounted in the case and with which the piston rods are connected, the said member being mounted to rotate in a lane at an angle to the plane of i'otation o the cylinders, sleeve valves mounted on the inner ends of the cylinders and 'ada ted to close the ports thereof, and means t dr operating the said valves to close the said ports on the compression strokes of the piston.

5. A rotary motor, comprising a hollow shaft, two groups of'cylin ers spacedapart and mounted to rotate bodily around the said. shaft, the cylinders having ports in their sides adjacent to the, inner ends, a fuel case between the groups of cylinders and into which extend the inner ends of the cylinders, pistons in the cylinders, a; stroke memher with which the piston rods are connected, mounted in the said'case between the groups of cylinders to rotate in a plane at an angleto the plane of rotation of the said cylinders,

auxiliary means for closing the ports of the'cylinders during the compression strokes of the pistons and opening them during the suction strokes of said pistons, a fuel supply pipe in the hollow shaft, and meatis for admitting the fuel from said pipe into the fuel case.

6. A rotary mot/or, comprising a central support, .two cylinder carriers mounted to rotate on the said central support, one of the said cylinder carriers huvin ocentral extension beyond one end of t c said support for the transmission of the power, cylinders mounted on the said cylinder carriers with their axes parallel to the axis of the said central support, the adjacentends of the cylinders being spaced apart, the cylinders having ports in their sides adjacent the inner.

ends, a fuel case secured to the'cylinder carriers and surroundin the inner ends of the cylinders, pistons reciprocating in the said cylinders, and a stroke element mountedto rotate on the said central support in a plane at an angle to the plane of rotation ofthe said cylinder, the said stroke element being mounted in the fuel case between the cylinders and the said pistons being connected with the said stroke element.

7. A rotary motor, comprising a central mounted to rotate on the said central supcarriers a central extension beyond one end of the said" support for the transmission of power, cylinders mounted on the said cylinder carriers with their axes parallel to the axis of the said'central. support, the adjacent ends of the-cylinders being spaced-apart, the axis of a cylinder on one carrier coinciding with the axis of a cylinder on the other carrier,

the cylinders having ports in their sides adjacent the inner ends, a. fuel casesecured.

to the cylii'ider, carriers and surrounding the inner ends of xthecylinders, pistons reciprorating in'thc said cylinders, a stroke element mounted to rotate on the said central sup port in a plane at an angle to the rotation of the said cylinders. the said stroke element being arranged in the fuel case intermediate the said cylinders, the said pistons being connected with-the said stroke element, c0nnections rigidly connecting the-said cylinder carriers with each other and having guidenvays, and hearings on the said stroke elements engaging the said guideways.

,8. A rotary motor, comprising a hollow central support, spaced cylinder carriers 'mounted to rotate on the said support,

cylinders'mounted on the said carriers and having their axes parallel to the axis of the said support, pistons reciprocating n the said cylinders, a stroke element mounted to rotate on the said support in a plane at an angle to the plane of rotation of thesaid cylinder'carrier, the stroke element being intermediate the saidcarriers and being connected with the said pistons, a hollow shaft on'on'e of the carriers and extending into the hollow support, one end of the shaft -being connected Withalubricant supply and having-a connection with the support, an oil well in the said stroke element and'in communication'with the said hollow support, and means connecting the oil well with the piston connection atthe stroke element. 9.- A rotary motor, comprising a hollow central support; spaced cylinder'. carriers mounted to rotate on the sa1d support, cylinders mounted on the .sald carriers and havingtheir axes. parallel to the axisof the said support, istons reciprocating in the said cylinders, a stroke element mounted to rotate on the said support in a plane at an angle to-the plane or rotation of the said *cylindenjcarri'ers, the-stroke element being v intermediate the said'cariiers and beingcorion one of: the carriers and extending into nected with-the said pislofis, a, hollow shaft the l1ollow,support,"a pipe extending into the said shaft and iconnected with a charge. siipply,,the, said ipe dischargingjnto the saidgsupporhan a case connectin the" cylindercarriers with eachvotheran into which opens the said support to allow the .charge to pass into the case and from the latter into the said cylinders.

10. A rotary motor, comprising a hollow central support, spaced cylinder carriers mounted to rotate on the said support,

cylinders mounted on the said carriers and having their axes parallel to the axisiofthe said support, pistons reciprocating in the said cylinders, a stroke element mountedto rotate on the said support in a plane at an angle to the plane of rotation of the .said cylinder carriers, the stroke element being intermediate the said carriers and being con,- nected with the said pistons, a hollow shaft on one of the carriers and extending into carrier and controlling the said sleeve'valves air lnlet valves and theexhaus t,

and the said valve. y

11. A rotarymotor, comprising acentral support, two spaced cylinder carriers mounted to rotate on the said central support, one of the said cylinder carriers having a central extension beyond one end of the 1.

said support for the transmission of power, cylinders mounted on the said cylinde'rcarmom with their axes parallel to theaxis of the said central support, the adjacent ends of'the cylinders being spacedapart, the axis pistons reciprocating in the said cylinders, a stroke element mounted to rotate on the said central, supportin a plane at an angle to; the rotation of-the said cylinders," the r said stroke element being arranged interof a cylinder on one carrier coinciding with the axis of a cylinder on the other carrier,

mediate the said cyli'hder carriers, the said pistons being connected with the said stroke element, and connections rigidly connect" in the said cylinder carriers with each .ot er, the said connectionsbeing hollow ior the passage of electric conductors-for the I 11 ed my 'name to thisspecification in the presence of ignition devices ofthec linders.

In testimony whereof I have 'si two subscribin%lwitnesses.

i T OMAS T.'LQVELACE -Witnesses: GEORGEVH. Enema,-

PHILIP D. 'RoLLHAUs. 

